Sponge washer



W. E. HARVIE SPONGE WASHER Aug. 8, 1933.

Filed May 31, 1932 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 8, 1933 SPONGE WASHER Valte'r E. Harvie, Fortland, Maine Application May 31, 1932. Serial No. 614,561

2 Claims.

The object of this, my present invention, is the provision of a sponge washer that is characterize by simplicity in construction and reliability and efliciency in practical use.

To the attainment of the foregoing invention consists in the improvement hereinafter described ancl definitely claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an approximately central longitudinal sectional view through the improvement.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the sponge holder with the sponge removed.

My improved sponge washer is primarily designed for use in cleaning automobiles and is or" a construction whereby every part or crevice of such machines may be cleaned without liability of scratching or marring the surface thereof. The improvement is not to be thus restricted in its useful capacity as the same may be successfully employed for washing windows either on the ground floor or at an elevation, for washing woodwork, bathtubs, etc.

The improvement essentially comprises a rubber handle 1 provided at one of its ends and a point adjacent such end with outwardly extending beads 2, the said beads afiording the handle with gripping surfaces. The handle has one end terminating in an elliptical hollow head 3. The hollow head 3 is substantially oval in plan, the open or mouth end thereof being formed with an inwardly directed lip l, and the said lip is formed with spaced inwardly directed and angularly disposed prongs 5, like prongs 6 being formed on the concaved inner sides of the head. All of the prongs are directed toward the upper center of the head, and the said prongs serve as impinging elements for the portion of a sponge 7 which is inserted in the head. The part of the sponge that is received in the head is cemented to the said head so that after manufacture the handle and sponge will become integral pans and by both cementing and impinging the sponge in the head the same cannot be dislodged therefrom regerdless of pressure which is exerted upon the outer or active surface of the sponge or the water which passes through the handle and through the pores of the sponge.

The handle 1 is provided with a round central opening that receives therein one end of a copper pipe 8. The lower end of the pipe is flared or tapered outwardly so that the said pipe is revolubly mounted on the device. The outer rightangular end 9 ofthe pipe is bent to provide the same with an angular portion 9' which is directed away from the head 3 over the portion 9 of the pipe 8 and is inserted in a rubber tube 10. The tube is coupl d to a hose which in turn is connected to a suitable source of water supply and the passage through the hose is controlled by a valve (not shown). Arranged around the tube 10 to grippingly engage therewith and compress the same against the part 9 there is a clamp 11. The clamp 11 is preferably constructed from a single iece of suitable metal having its central portion rounded upon itself to grippingly engage with the rubber tube and having its parallel depending portions 12 provided with openings for the reception of binding elements such as screws 13. The

sides 12 are rounded outwardly away from each 7 other and are suitably secured to a socket 14 which is tapered and which has its outer widened and open end provided with a bayonet slot 15 for the reception of a pin 16 on the tapered end of a handle 1'7. The handle is preferably in the nature of a wooden stick. The metal socket 11 has its reduced end formed with a tongue extension 18 designed to be receivedin a hollow boss 19 that extends frozn one side of the handle 1. Removable means, such as short screws 20 hold the tongue 3 in the boss. Because of its shape the sponge can reach all corners or crevices on surfaces to be cleaned. The supply of water passing through the sponge is regulated by the valve for the hose.

Because of the rubber tube 10 the device is ren- 35 dered flexible and light and this tube serves as one of the handles of the improvement. The handle 1 is also employed as a gripping element for manipulating the device and the removable clamp and socket connected with the handle ma- {a0 terially reinforces these parts. The wooden handle 17 is employed when high places are to be washed. The handle 17 is thus in the nature of a prop and will permit of the device being employed in washing windows, etc., although the ,95

improvement is primarily devised for washing automobiles. When the socket is detached the body of the improvement may revolve upon the pipe 8 so that the sponge may be turned in the cleaning operation and the same may be ar- ;l00

herein shown and described.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. A device for the purpose set forth, a handle having a cup-like hollow head whose open end is formed with an inwardly directed lip, said lip being integrally formed with angularly disposed prongs directed toward the top of the head, the inner sides of the head being integrally formed with prongs directed toward the center thereof and said prongs aflording impinging elements for a sponge which is inserted in the head and cemented thereto, the handle having outer peripheral ribs and having a central opening, and a fluid conducting tube received in said opening.

2. A device for the purpose set forth, comprising a hollow elliptical head having a beaded mouth which, together with the sides of the head are formed with inwardly projected prongs to engage with a sponge which is inserted in the head, a hollow handle extension on the head, a water conducting pipe received in the extension, said pipe having an angle extension affording a hand grip, a water conducting tube on the pipe, a clamping member removably engaging with the tube forclamping the same on the pipe, a socket carried by said clamping member having an inner closed'end provided with a tongue extension, a hollow boss on the handle receiving the tongue extension therein, removable means for securing the tongue extension in the boss and said socket designed for the reception of a handle which may be employed as a prop.

WALTER. E. HARVIE. 

